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CARVIN ENGINEERING DATA
VLD1 CONNECTIONS AND CONTROLS CONT.
DRIVE CHANNEL and GAIN MODE
11. DRIVE CHANNEL LED (RED)
The red LED will indicate the DRIVE channel is selected
(right footswitch).
12. GAIN MODE LED (YELLOW)
The yellow LED near the DRIVE control will indicate
GAIN mode is ON for the DRIVE channel (selected by
the middle footswitch). GAIN does not affect the sound
when you are using the CLEAN channel. The "VAI"
symbol will glow amber-yellow when GAIN is active.
The GAIN mode on the DRIVE channel adds even more
gain to the classic Legacy sound, while still retaining
12AX7A tube dynamics. Super hi-gain sounds are
available without the need for external pedals that can
limit dynamics.
13. VOLUME (Drive channel)
Set the volume of the DRIVE channel with this control.
The MASTER control also affects output.
14. DRIVE CONTROL
For mild tube overdrive, set the DRIVE control below
4. For some of the best rhythm sounds, set the drive
control set between 4 & 6. For full blown saturation,
set the control between 6 and 10. With high-output
pickups, Drive settings above 7 or 8 can be subject to
over saturation causing sluggish distortion. If so, play
your guitar with it's volume at 10 and decrease the
DRIVE until the crisp highs come back. For very high
gain playing, try the GAIN switch.
USING THE VAI "HIDDEN FEATURE"
"hidden" features of the Legacy Series is using a
technique that Steve Vai requested for his own use.
While playing on the lead channel with a generous
amount of DRIVE (around 6), back off the volume on
your guitar. You will find your sound actually "cleaned
up" with your guitar at a lower volume. This is a
great feature for playing both rhythm and lead without
switching channels. An advanced player knows how
to control their attack (how hard or soft you play the
strings) for different sounds. The Legacy DRIVE is
designed to be very responsive to these changes in
your attack.
15. 16. 17. BASS, MID & TREBLE (Drive channel)
To start off with, set the BASS, MID and TREBLE
controls at their center (5) position. These controls are
set according to the sound you are looking for. Even
though you may have found "your sound", you may
want to change the settings for different guitars or
playing conditions. It's normal to decrease the BASS
at higher playing levels, or adjust the TREBLE or
PRESENCE for different rooms.
VLD1
18. PRESENCE (Drive channel)
The wide range of this control, in the upper range of the
tonal spectrum, can be set for very different sounds.
Turning the PRESENCE "up" allows you to stand out in
the mix or sound more aggressive. Turning PRESENCE
"down" produces a smoother, thicker sound.
REAR PANEL: 19. INPUT
A standard 1/4" INPUT jack feeds the channels or
bypasses directly to the OUTPUT as selected by the
footswitches. For best results, use a professional quality
guitar cord no longer than 25 feet. Typical cable
capacitance is over 25pF per foot. The longer the cord,
the greater the capacitance. A long cable with high
capacitance will reduce the overall treble response
from your guitar pickups.
20. POWER JACK
The POWER jack requires an AC adapter, which is
included with the Legacy DRIVE. Other power sources
can be used, but must have a regulated 12VDC output,
1A (1000mA) capable and center pin positive (+) polarity.
21. BYPASS JACK
Before plugging into this jack, set the internal ON/
BYPASS footswitch to ON. The RED "ON" LED near
the MASTER control should be lit. Using a standard
footswitch, the "Reverb/Effects" switch will control
the BYPASS switching. Most footswitches or automated
switchers with a latching switch and a 1/4" plug will
work. The Tip controls BYPASS.
22. FOOTSWITCH JACK
One of the
Before plugging into this jack, set the internal
footswitches for the DRIVE channel, with GAIN mode.
The color of the "VAI" symbol should be AMBER-
YELLOW. Using a standard footswitch, the "Channel"
switch will control the CLEAN/DRIVE and the "Reverb/
Effects" switch will control GAIN switching. Most
footswitches with 2 latching switches and a stereo
plug will work. When using footswitches or automated
switchers with mono (tip only) outputs, use a TRS-to-Y
adapter.
The Ring controls DRIVE/CLEAN, and Tip controls
GAIN.
23. OUTPUT
The rear panel OUTPUT 1/4" jack is for connecting
to guitar amps or power amps which will drive guitar
speakers. The OUTPUT jack can be connected to the
front input of a guitar amp and added or removed
from the signal path using the BYPASS/ON footswitch,
similar to adding a distortion pedal. The OUTPUT
jack can also drive a power amp to connect to guitar
speakers, or it can drive a guitar amp's power section
using the "Effects Return" or "Power Amp In" inputs.
Plug the guitar into the Legacy DRIVE. Most effects
would be used between the OUTPUT jack and the amp.
Exceptions may be compressor, envelope filter or wah
STEVE VAI LEGACY DRIVE
5
PG.
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